The Eastern Puma Has Officially Been Pronounced Extinct!

In a tragic wildlife development, the majestic Eastern Puma has been officially declared extinct by U.S Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS), as of January 22.

Detail shot of a Puma (Source: Getty Images)

The species, known as Felis concolor couguar and Puma concolor couguar, has been officially removed from Federal List of Threatened and Endangered Wildlife. The Felis cougar were commonly known as mountain lions, panthers and pumas.

Low angle view of Cougar standing on wood (Source: Getty Images)

Historically, these majestic cats have roamed every state of the eastern part of the United States along the Mississippi river.

Cougar in hunt attitude (Source: Getty Images)

In the year 2011, USFWS started to review the status of Eastern Pumas under the Endangered Species Act. It was deduced in 2015 that there was no evidence of the existence of the large cats.

Puma concolor, also commonly known as the mountain lion, puma, panther, or catamount (Source: Getty Images)

The de-listing of the endangered Pumas will become official on 22nd February.

Mountain Lion in the Southwest USA (Source: Getty images)

The big cat hasn’t been seen in the wildlife for more than 8 decades. The Eastern Puma’s quandary has been around for over 100 years now and by the 1900s, the cats were gradually vanishing because of hunting and systematic trapping.

Puma concolar in the woods (Source: Getty Images)

According to Mark Elbroch, the head scientist for Puma program at the group Panthera, the Eastern Pumas have been ‘long extinct’.

A cougar resting on a log over black background (Source: Getty Images)

A cute female puma lying in a wooden box (Source: Getty Images)

In the year 2015, the biologists of Federal Wild life deduced that pumas elsewhere in the Eastern United States were beyond recovery and, thus, needed no protection under the Act of Endangered Species.

Detail side shot of Puma concolar (Source: Getty Images)

The genetic cousins of Eastern Pumas, mountain lions are still inhabit Western United States and are associated with the small, endangered population of Florida panthers which are found in Everglades.

The last of such a cat on record was killed in 1938 by a hunter in Maine. The reasons for their extinction are systematic habitat destruction and extermination campaigns; some of these majestic cats were trapped and killed for their fur, while others were murdered to prevent them from interfering with livestock.

Mountain Lion cub in winter (Source: Getty)

Some biologists are hopeful that they will be able to test the possibilities of conservation with the help of the plentiful cousins of Eastern Puma.

Puma licking nose behind fence (Source: Getty)

One of the conservation advocates of biological diversity, Michael Robinson, said: “We need large carnivores like cougars, which would curb deer overpopulation and tick-borne diseases that threaten human health, so we hope Eastern and Midwestern states will reintroduce them.”

Closeup of cougar sleeping (Source: Getty)

What happened to Eastern Pumas is really alarming and we, as humans, should start playing our part to protect other species from getting extinct!

There is a puma or mountain lion on the place where I live. My nephew has a game camera up and there was one on it. Also, my great grandson saw one walk across the field.

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Ria Montauban

February 17, 2018

STOP ALL THE TRAPPING IN THE UNITED STATES, BECAUSE MORE ENDANGERED SPECIES WILL GO EXTINCT, BECAUSE PEOPLE WANT TO KILL, WHY, I DONT KNOW, IT IS NOT FOR FOOD.

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Mary D.

February 17, 2018

This is humans fault all they way!! Greed, and ignorance is all humans ever think about! To lose this majestic and beautiful animal is truly a shame on the humans left alive. Our species makes me sick!

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George Seedorff

February 17, 2018

I am greatly saddened.

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Betta Ellul

February 17, 2018

What a crime! Kill, kill, kill! So damn sad ? They were so beautiful, how could anyone want to kill them?….

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Jeff Marcantelli

February 17, 2018

I am not from the United States and alarming to me to read see and know of these things that are happening to the Mountain Lions there, I live in New Zealand and even some of our little creatures here are slowly going into extinct mode and yes I agree with Mary D that this is humans faults due to their greed and ignorance and she is right humans only ever think about themselves, not the animals or big cats that live in this world the damage of greenhouse gasses and the in denial of our sea animals to that are dying due to the greed and ignorance of humans which to me we are the biggest fear factor for these majestic animals, and yet when I see any states in the US doing something for the mountain lions it makes me happy because just like us we are recognized in Gods eyes as to be a protector of animals I have 3 cats and to me I protect every cat I have just like I would like to see more protection against Mountain Lions especially the remainining ones that are roaming the US now. Please protect these majestic cats.

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Lori

February 17, 2018

Aw……such a majestic creature and yes that\’s what the society is to kill for greed these beautiful creatures that we love so much …………….they are my favorite animals all cat species……….love them!!!

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cindy shaffer

February 17, 2018

huh? we have several in our area. one female has a den directly behind my cousins house, and regularly has cubs. they can be a problem for farmers. we dont have much issue bc we border state land a wild life refuge so they have ample food. but if they arent seeing any its bc they arent looking in the right places. Walk the Adderondack trails, you will see signs of them.

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Alan Mainer

February 17, 2018

Liars!!!!! I\’ve seen several in the Catskills in the past two years!!! Of course there is the possibility that the DEC killed them!!!!!!

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Mariajulia Abolencia-Christmann

February 17, 2018

Its all humans fault.

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Mariajulia Abolencia-Christmann

February 17, 2018

Have them conserved.These animals need not to end their lives.

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Lois

February 17, 2018

When they kill your livestock.

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Ed Hamerstrom

February 18, 2018

This is so wrong. Many if not most people in the wilder parts of the Northeast have seen them or know someone else who has seen them in recent years. I saw a black one, though tawny are more common. Most of my neighbors have seen them, and there are many photos.

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L.A.W…

February 18, 2018

Kill what you can\’t control, make money off of or Use and Abuse…Truly the way of our Government… All animals should be protected….that which is of God, knows that which is of God…..The RIGHT WAY MAY NOT BE EASY…BUT IN THE LONG RUN…..WELL WORTH IT….. Praying? someone will make a stand that counts….For these beautiful creatures….. I live in East TX….saw a big cat cross the highway in front of me late one night….. Praying it lives, reproduces and thrives….we have a great wild pig population, and whitetail deer….ALL PRAYERS FOR PUMAS……

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Leasa Akin

February 18, 2018

I watched a program on Kentucky\’s KET, within the last 2 years, that reported sightings of the Eastern Panther. Though they were not able to track the animal, on the TV program, I know there are reported sightsings and I think there were camera recordings………Are you sure they are extinct ?

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Juli

February 18, 2018

It\’s heartbreaking that Humans continue to think the whole world is just for them. We hunt things into extinction we are herding up wild horses and burro\’s until they will be gone as well. We need to learn to share the planet or it will not be a place fit for anyone, including humans!

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Linda Corbin

February 18, 2018

There is no reason to trap for fur as every animal that was used for fur can be seen on clothes by faux fur.

The way the feds treat wildlife makes me wonder what we pay them for.

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neil zokol

February 18, 2018

too many greedy self centred a holes in this world they will continue to kill as long as our lame ass governments let them we need to protest about theses issues until they listen

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Ronald Gretz

February 18, 2018

Odd. My wife\’s family has a farm in upstate New York. She\’s seen them at the farm a number of times.

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Larry Grijalva

February 18, 2018

evil humans

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kathleen hensley

February 18, 2018

well we have let the farmers move into there area then tell them same people it is ok to protect your live stock instead of telling them they need to come up with a human why of living bye the animals. with out having to kill and destroy everything they touch then say well you eat our beef and all that i may eat the beef but i have respect for wild life and now we need these animals in the world to help with balance and well being. before bring them back make sure they come up with a safer way to keep there stocks safe with out having to kill these and wolfs for pur joy

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Vicki Walker

February 18, 2018

How can our society be so cruel and cold hearted! What a tragedy! Such a beautiful creature of God and the humans of God caused it\’s extinction. Get a clue people. They were killed out of greed NOT necessity!

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Kathleen Simmons

February 18, 2018

Mankind is not kind. Man does not care what it kills or tortures or drives to extinction. And, it doesn\’t look like it is going to change. Around the world people with money want that trophy…could be the last animal of its kind, and that doesn\’t matter because it\’s all about ME. Every animal is in danger. Every minute of every day animals are used and abused, from the tiny rabbit, to the majestic elephant. Man does not deserve animals. So now, the puma has disappeared under our watch…what creature is next…

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Beth S

February 18, 2018

I wish we were able to stop this practice of killing. I truly hope our species dies out so the ability to make any decisions based on greed and entertainment is removed from existence. We don’t deserve to have that ability, period!! This is so sooo sad, and should be a massive upset for everyone but of course it is a small article that I almost didn’t see. Human priorities NEED to change

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Emily

February 18, 2018

The last large sized Eastern Puma on record was killed in 1938? Yet is is the fault of greedy people today?

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David Markham

February 18, 2018

It\’s so *alarming* that this happened 80 years ago! We have to work right now to stop shooting these animals 80 years ago.

Look, it\’s sad they\’re gone, I guess, but this is not news. It\’s just a categorization change.

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Vincent

February 18, 2018

this is very saddening , balance is everything ,we need to make sure no animals become EXTINCT for any reason …no excuses…

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Monica Rodriguez

February 18, 2018

I want a future as a wildlife biologist and hearing this news saddens me because my goals in life were to observe most of the wildlife and to see it dying just feels unfair to those with dreams and to the animals that don\’t harm on purpose, it\’s just their natural instincts. Well… I think that this stinks 🙁

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Carrie

February 18, 2018

I told my 6yr old daughter about this and she\’s mad as hell. Her words -\”but these are the animals I\’m missing out to see\”.

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Joe

February 18, 2018

If we didn’t they’d probably still be eating our livestock and kids!

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Maximus Bats Allen

February 18, 2018

Absolutely SHAMEFUL.! I am greatly saddened by society to ever let this happen. Humans have now wiped out an entire culture of animals for greed and straight out stupidity. I pray that this is not the end for the eastern Puma. STOP THE STUPIDITY! :\'(

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Judith Snowdon

February 18, 2018

I don’t think you should be borrowing from the West. Your management skills are obviously lacking.

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Mickey Mac.

February 18, 2018

They kill to inflate their egos, Need another head on the wall.

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Alex

February 18, 2018

This is bad! They go extinct thanks to mankind. Humanity sure did a great job here. 🙁 I’m afraid this is only the beginning when it comes to species becoming extinct thanks to humanity.

When I read bad news abut animals in genreal I mostly see women getting upset, and not men. I’m afraid (in a good way) that it is thanks to many women these news come to light.

Ot: Sorry for my bad enlish.

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Jennifer Schaffner

February 18, 2018

Western Pumas, more than likely. The article is over Eastern Pumas, which is a slightly different but related species

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Jann

February 18, 2018

What people do not realize is that this does upset the balance of nature. Every time humans interfere in trying to decrease or increase the animal population, there is a balance that gets out of wack. I love all animals. Even the dangerous ones. I would not want to encounter a Puma by accident. But most animals run from humans and only attack if they feel threatened. I\’m hopeful that somewhere out there is a family of Puma\’s or more, who are well hidden from the human population and eventually they will appear once again. And let\’s not forget about Chem Trails! This spraying of chemicals into our atmosphere that is causing health issues in humans will devastate animals as well. In Canada, their forests are affected greatly by chem trail spraying. There is no need for this spraying. The government has an agenda. We need to stop this activity somehow!

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TC

February 18, 2018

Yes, we definitely have them. I\’m actually puzzled that people think they don\’t live here.

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CLAUDIA NICORA

February 18, 2018

What is wrong if they kill livestock? They are predators, how can anyone think its o.k to hunt these animals?

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Lolo

February 19, 2018

So apparently a lot of people didn\’t actually read the article. To everyone saying, \”I live on the east coast and I\’ve seen them\”, the article clearly states that there are still eastern pumas around, but their population is beyond repair. Meaning they can\’t simply be listed as endangered because they will in fact go completely out of existence.

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Julia

February 19, 2018

Hunters are trash.

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Val Faulk

February 19, 2018

Livestock are people\’s livelihoods that\’s what is wrong. I don\’t want Cougars senselessly hunted for sport but I\’d take a shot at one if he was after my sheep goats cattle or horses. I mean come on. We need to protect their habitat away from the farms so they have enough wild prey.

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George Gordon

February 19, 2018

And now the President has two murderous sons who think they are great by the number of animals they can kill. And what about the poor bears who are hibernating and Trump has said\”OK – go in and kill them while they are sleeping\”.

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BillinGa

February 19, 2018

25 species of something goes extinct every year. We didn’t kill them all.

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Christian Martinez

February 19, 2018

There are ways of keeping cougars off of your property. They may be costly, but hey what\’s a species worth when you can save a couple bucks, right??

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nam

February 19, 2018

We even killed the Native Americans , Aborigines in Australia …. Wiped out somany human races and cultures due to religion etc. We humans love to hate. we better kill ourselves to save the planet.

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Mark Ecklund

February 19, 2018

It\’s been 80 years since the last one was killed, yet people say they\’ve seen them, lol. Where\’s the video? How many game cams are there in the forests of the Allegheny mountains? Why are\’t they being hit by cars?

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Carol Miller

February 19, 2018

European settlers and their descendants caused the extinction, not all humans. The indigenous people of the Western hemisphere lived in balance with nature.

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Romeacres

February 19, 2018

We have actually seen signs of them here in Michigan too. A neighbors horse was tore up by one.

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Josh

February 19, 2018

Can\’t wait till they make human traps for messing with livestock or fur.. oh wait.

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Ann

February 19, 2018

This post/article is promoting hate. The cats are alive and well here in the U.S. This article is ill intended. There are a lot of sightings on trail cams to prove it.

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DJ

February 19, 2018

They should not be delisted, just because Forest officials didn\’t sight them. Very shameful.

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Pam

February 19, 2018

I totally agree with you ; if it\’s for food that\’s one thing but killing just for \”sport\” or fur is just wrong .

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JJ Miller

February 19, 2018

They need meat. We dont. There is “protect”, and there is exterminate No sympathy. Times are changing. Adapt and move on

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Lynne Huntley

February 19, 2018

Thank you for taking the time and effort to write Jeff. Even though you live on the other side of the planet, you still care about our beautiful wildlife here, too. And thank you for that. I feel the same way towards all of Earths souls too, in all their exquisite forms. It is really a great loss to lose even one. Will mankind ever learn? Or is it already too late? It\’s too late for this beautiful cougar, and many others. All we can do is try to educate people, and encourage our governments to.make laws to protect these voiceless victims of mans greed, and ignorance before they\’re all gone. We must learn to coexist peacefully with Nature., or we may be on our way out as well.

They are still spotted in Florida. Especially in or near the Everglades. Is this article for rl. 1938?!

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lor

February 19, 2018

you are seeing a different type..why is thay difficult to understand, the last eastern one to have been seen and identified properly was in the 30s per the article and ya know, scientists that study them as their profession.. they have very distinct differences most ppl wont recognize. WE have killed out the eastern puma..the end

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lor

February 19, 2018

yep..similar situation here with my 8 yr old..disgustingly sad.. we watch animal.documentaries all the time and there are soo many animals that without insanely aggressive action, which isnt happening, there are soo many animals that wont be around when they are teenagers, nevermind when they have their own children

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lor

February 19, 2018

then stop killing and locking up the livestock…it is natural for pumas to kill, not so for humans

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lor

February 19, 2018

you didnt read very well either.. those declared beyond repair are OTHER pumas on eastern coast, meaning NOT THE EASTERN PUMA..but OTHER types that live on the eastern coast..they have been declared to be on similar track as eastern..the specific eastern puma has been extinct for a long time already, last one having been seen in the 30s..the process and declaration, confirmation is just now happening

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Angel

February 19, 2018

They wouldn\’t have to encroach on livestock if we didn\’t destroy their habitat. These animals don\’t want anything to do with humans. The problem is we leave them no choice.

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Angel

February 19, 2018

If this is the case then why aren\’t you making phone calls?

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Angel

February 19, 2018

Eastern cougars (mountain lions) do not have a native, self sustaining population in New York State. They have been absent from this state since the late 1800s; however, there have been a few isolated sightings. Each sighting involved cougars that are not native to New York.

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Angel

February 19, 2018

They are more than likely western pumas who were once owned by someone, anything wild out there isn\’t native to NY.

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Angel

February 19, 2018

It\’s the fault of greedy people, period. We haven\’t improved since then,

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Angel

February 19, 2018

You don\’t know how ecological math works, I guess. There has to be a certain amount of time that passes without a sighting for something to move from \’endangered\’ to \’extinct\’, The news is akin to family finding out their missing child is dead. You suspect, but you don\’t know for sure, so you hope.

It\’s more than sad. It\’s a terrible, and if you think extinction\’s going to stop there, you need to open your eyes, we have already lost one species of rhino and are about to lose two more. Six separate species of penguin are endangered, within our lifetime, most polar bear species will be extinct, bees are vulnerable.

So, no. This is not \”sad\”. This catastrophic. Look: each one of these animals serves a purpose, and the list of endangered is a long one. This puma is just one among many. Consider this \”categorization change\” a warning.

They haven\’t seen them in almost a century. It\’s safe to assume this subspecies is gone from the earth. With that said, just because something is classified as extinct does not move it from the realm of absolute possibility that it should make itself known somewhere down the line. It\’s happened with frogs and sea life. But for now, it is assumed extinct. Probably for the best. If there are true Eastern Pumas out there, not these mountain lions people claim to see out there, it\’s probably in their best interest if man thinks they are gone.

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Angel

February 19, 2018

So, is there some sort of point to your post?

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Angel

February 19, 2018

Not the same cat. Same genus, such as the Western Puma, but different sub species.

Florida panther. The Florida panther is an endangered subspecies population of the cougar (Puma concolor) that lives in forests and swamps of South Florida in the United States. Florida panthers are usually found in pinelands, hardwood hammocks, and mixed swamp forests.

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Dave Sayer

February 19, 2018

What Planet Earth really needs is for humans to become extinct.Then it will be a better place..

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JP

February 19, 2018

Hunting isn\’t a bad thing. In fact, hunting bear is a good thing. It keeps the bears afraid of humans ensure that they don\’t learn nuisance behaviors that in turn end up forcing them to be euthanized.

FWIW, this story is a bit misleading. It makes it sound like there are no pumas in the Eastern U.S. which isn\’t true. They\’re rare but are spotted up and down the Appalachians. Until they are recorded again in significant numbers they consider them extinct.

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Sonny

February 19, 2018

This is so sad on what people are doing to the wildlife . Why can’t people just leave this wildlife alone . Is there a need to trap or hunt these poor animals into extinction . . What the heck are the governments doing to stop this . I can see if hunting is for food or a threat of danger by these animals then this may be justified . But to go out trapping them or trophy hunt just don’t make sense .

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Alex Fleury

February 19, 2018

Total Bull Friend of mine posted a pic of two that he spotted near the Tn My border about a month ago

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Alysse

February 19, 2018

Thanks for being a voice of reason, Angel. It is no wonder these animals have been hunted off the face of the earth when we look at the number of ill-informed, trigger-happy responses in this comment list alone.

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Mo Markham

February 19, 2018

YOU kill your \”livestock\” … your livestock is killing the planet, and killing to kill your livestock is not helping anyone. We\’re destroying their habitat to make room for livestock that we don\’t need, and can\’t afford in terms of the planet and the climate. These animals have the right to live on the land that has been theirs forever. You don\’t have the right to keep other animals imprisoned on the land and kill these beautiful animals unnecessarily. Go vegan, for the animals, and the planet, and your own soul.

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Rocky

February 19, 2018

We had a male cougar come onto our property (8 mostly wooded acres in the Upstate of SC, almost to the mountains of NC) about 4 years ago. I called the DNR and they called me a LIAR!!! \’There are no mountain lions in SC,\’ they told me. The old fellow who grew up down the lane and has lived there all of his long life, said that \’Old Sam\’ had been coming around every Spring for many years. A carpenter that we had doing some work for us later informed us that he knew a fellow who had shot that big cat and has it\’s pelt hanging on his wall. So much for them being extinct, at least at that point in time… perhaps now they are…

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Who Cares

February 19, 2018

“We need large carnivores like cougars, which would curb deer overpopulation and tick-borne diseases that threaten human health\”

At this point mankind deserves whatever hand he is dealt. Be it disease, famine and plague. We are a threat to the natural order. Humans have brought nothing but death and destruction. Nothing dollarable is safe, however well guarded.

Just let this sink in:: Dinosaurs walked the earth for a good 150 million years while humans maybe 200,000.

Alexander Von Humboldt was already writing about the devastation of the Americas upon his visit at the close of the 18th century. Whereas we had an opportunity to learn from and avoid the mistakes of Europe and Middle Eastern Empires, we dove head first into much the same and now, to the brink.

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Cameo Cash

February 19, 2018

WILD ANYTHING came before and us! NO ONE ON THIS PLANET HAS ANY RIGHT TO DO THIS TO ANY LIVING THING!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! GOD puts things on this earth for good reason! YES, if we need to kill to eat, so be it, it is the right thing to do! If you are killing for SPORT OR ANYTHING ELSE, let\’s see how you feel when you become the hunted and extinct!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Question to all: Who does your killing for you? You obviously don\’t do it yourself. Not being able to do your own killing does not make you morally superior.

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Lifejourney

February 20, 2018

True……..I have talked with too many knowledgeable people who have seen them and/or their tracks. sightings in Virginia, West Virginia, Pennsylvania, Delaware, etc, etc ,etc. But not many people see them, as they are mostly nocturnal.

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Lifejourney

February 20, 2018

Let one kill a relative or loved one while jogging…………then see how you feel.

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Lifejourney

February 20, 2018

Right ! And they should be manage like other wild game.

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Lifejourney

February 20, 2018

Sounds to me as though you are bearing the weight of all human sin on your shoulders.

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jackie

February 20, 2018

good to hear something hopeful, god bless

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Ali jackson

February 20, 2018

Where I live I\’ve heard of people killing cats like this to protect themselves and their animals.

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virginia green

February 20, 2018

did the people not know that the cats are 4 legged kids wearing fur and did not need to be treated like they were treated. why did you have to kill them for?

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LL

February 20, 2018

FWIW, seems like you only read the headline. The article makes it very clear that this PARTICULAR species hasn\’t been seen in the wild for 80 years. It is just now getting it\’s extinct classification. They noted other types of pumas and panthers that are still around and endangered.

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Jo Hogle

February 20, 2018

My mother and I saw one about 10 years ago. It was chasing a rabbit in a farm field in Ohio. We actually pulled the car over and watched him as we had never seen one in the wild. It was so much bigger than the rabbit we knew it was not an ordinary cat or a bobcat. He ran within about 100 feet from us as we stopped on the freeway so we got a good look. I don\’t understand declaring something extinct just because they are rarely seen in the wild. They are beautiful but I do understand the danger.

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tom

February 20, 2018

You are full of it. Hunting for egos sucks.

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Donald Roberts

February 20, 2018

I don\’t know whether to be happy they are gone or not…They kill livestock and pets so I say good riddance…

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Jay Thurston

February 20, 2018

Fuck yes!!!! Intelligence…finally!

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Mary Craven-Davis

February 20, 2018

I totally agree with you, Mary! This saddens me to the core! ?

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Ed Bilawchuk

February 20, 2018

I do not believe this for 1 second! It\’s only one opinion and altho I agree it\’s reached by certain methods, I still refuse to believe it! We will all be relieved in the future to find that this story is just that…a story! While definitely threatened as a species, I refuse to acknowledge this information as anything but the findings of only a select group of people and I believe they are mistaken. Time will tell. Bottom line…Endangered? Very much so! Extinct? Not!

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Jake

February 20, 2018

Bs! Theyve found them here deep in the cape fear river and around a some swamps.. they refuae to recognize that they are here cause if they do it will destroy all logging operation in and around the cape fear river!! Dont belueve this for a second

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Barbara

February 20, 2018

On really? And your livestock is being raised for your needs. The wild animals have needs. Which is meat. You can earn a carrot! You raise a bunch of coastal you can kill them and fill your belly of get some money. Find another Job.

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Cadence W

February 20, 2018

That\’s why I don\’t let me pets off leash and I carry a weapon. It\’s not the difficult to protect yourself but I guess that\’s too taxing for the likes of people such as yourself.

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Cadence W

February 20, 2018

I really need to get a new keyboard :/

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Elle Wallace

February 20, 2018

I live in California and you know what I do? I keep my pets on a leash, I carry a weapon and I don\’t leave out food for wild animals. I even go horseback riding and I carry a weapon. Sounds to me like you\’re just lazy and want an excuse just get on your soap box about why people should kill animals just for fun.

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Pamela Marzigliano

February 20, 2018

OH, MY GOD! The last cat was seen 8 decades ago so all this drama is a bit over the top! The foot stomping, teeth gnashing wailing is 81-years too late. Heres an idea, instead of all the drama about an animal most of you all never knew existed, find out about an animal(or plant) in your area that is threatened/or endangered, put your mouth, money & emotions into its survival. Educate yourself & do something.

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Steve Erickson

February 20, 2018

What are the noticeable differences between each of the species, can you show photos of the differences. Or is it just size or is there color or markings that are different.

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Janiewc

February 20, 2018

When the gene pool is so small they might as well be extinct.

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TR Osborne

February 20, 2018

Stupid! Stated like a True, Almighty Great HUNTER!

Facts: Allowing the KILLING of bears while they are in their dens DOES NOT instill fear of man into the rest of the bears NOT killed. Stupid \”human rationalizing\” trying to justify the killing of animals while they are laying in a stupor, sleeping…

I live in Alaska and the killing of bears in their Dens is a very hot topic. It is a stupid practice, since people killing the bears are also killing off the cubs, too young to survive on their own, even if the Great Hunters spare their lives…

Grizzley bears in Colorado were also hunted in the same manner, with exactly the SAME moronic Justifications of doing so while they were hibernating in their Dens…

Perhaps you would like it if some Great Killers came into your home at night and killed you and all your off-spring… After all, this is Exactly the thing you are claiming is the Right thing to do with bears in the wild…

Do not try and claim that Bears are dangerous Animals and people aren\’t because More People are killed by PEOPLE than all the other animals combined on this planet, killing men…

If a man is going to Hunt, then do it for food and make sure the hunting seasons coincide with times of the year when the hunted wildlife also stand a fair chance at getting away from the hunters should they miss hitting them the first time… and, remember that Sportsmanship, means doing things with Honor… and Killing for the sake of killing… truly pathetic!

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Wayne vernon

February 20, 2018

Great big gun, tiny little brain, wee little penis. Hunt away, you\’re not making anything bigger. When was the last time you had a puma burger

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Patrick Buck

February 20, 2018

The pumas around today in the Eastern USA, except for the Florida Panther, a separate subspecies, are released/escaped pets belonging to other subspecies and their descendants, plus wandering Western cougars.

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Tom Sheehan

February 20, 2018

The day they “reintroduce” these cats in PA is the day I start carrying a .44 magnum.

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Rossi

February 20, 2018

They\’ve barely been seen for 80 years, so the chances of that happening are pretty bloody low.

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T McGee

February 20, 2018

This is not the whole story. People in my area often report photos of mountain lions on their hunting cameras. Somehow these extinct cats end up getting killed by cars occasionally. Don\’t believe everything you read on the internet. I know for a fact this article is not correct.

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Steve Aquilina – Malta

February 20, 2018

What a sad world we live in. Us humans are so selfish……

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Ionut

February 20, 2018

We still got them in Romania …

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Alice Linn

February 20, 2018

I completely agree. Thank you.

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Alice Linn

February 20, 2018

Exactly.

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jkpate

February 20, 2018

ive herd ignorance before but you take it to another level

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Andrew

February 20, 2018

I have personally seen them in the wild in Massachusetts three times in the past, twice in the past 10 years. I can\’t say for sure they\’re out there now, but they were as recently as 2009.

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Sandy

February 20, 2018

I agree. Why are some ranchers allowed to let their animals graze along and inside the perimeters of our National Parks? And then wildlife is slaughtered when they attack cattle that are invading their habitat. Just sick!

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Steve

February 20, 2018

She wasn\’t ever going to see one, except maybe in a zoo! Even out West where they are plentiful, people very rarely ever see one!

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Steve

February 20, 2018

Article was mainly talking about states along the Mississippi River, not every Eastern State. \”Historically, these majestic cats have roamed every state of the eastern part of the United States along the Mississippi river.\”

It\’s a shame that when they reached such low levels that Wildlife \”experts\” didn\’t attempt to save them by capturing some for zoos and breeding programs! Instead they just let them go extinct!

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alex alamo

February 20, 2018

There is also hunting for wildlife management and population control. In Southern California we have an issue with Coyotes due to over development. Oddly enough Coyotes are fairly resilient and have taken up residence in the neighborhoods living off garbage, food left out for them by well meaning but to my mind misdirected people and dogs and cats. Attempts to control the population have met with considerable local opposition in lieu of a rather unsatisfactory solution offered by \’animal rights\’ activists that the animals should be hazed or driven away from populated areas which in a heavily urban area is pretty much impossible these days as all that is usually achieved is relocation of the problem.

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Barbara

February 21, 2018

The wild horses in the US descend from domesticated horses that were brought by Europeans and escaped. Their situation is not that of species that evolved here, like the Eastern Puma. If they and the burros are rounded up, there will still be horses and burros in the world. Both of those species were domesticated a very long time ago.

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Barbara

February 21, 2018

Farmers protecting their livestock do not kill predators for joy. Most farmers would prefer not to kill predators, and most farmers do not live where they need to consider this on a regular basis.

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JG

February 21, 2018

JP, wow, lack of empathy and intellect screams from your comment……

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Barbara

February 21, 2018

Saying that is like saying Muslims are terrorists. There are responsible hunters and irresponsible hunters. Our ancestors hunted and ate meat. Responsible hunters hunt for food, either for their families or to donate to food banks, etc. Responsible hunters hunt according to the law, which in most of the US is guided by knowledgeable wildlife experts who monitor local populations.

The last of these cats that was killed, was killed in 1938, 80 years ago. At that time most people were unaware of the damage they could do by hunting these cats to extinction.

Today, the greatest threat to wildlife is habitat reduction. Today, that is due mostly to the affluent people who want to live closer to the land. In doing so they cut up the existing habitat. That reduces the food and range for these animals, and pushes them to look for any food available. Enter livestock farms that have existed for much longer than the houses in most cases. Blaming a farmer is like blaming a city dweller for his great grandfather killing an Eastern Puma in 1938.

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Richard Lee Lester

February 21, 2018

Hunting and killing something from a distance, with it never seeing you is what humans call hunting.

And how again does it make them afraid if they are dead from a distance?

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Katrin

February 21, 2018

Trapping and the like are not the main cause of the problem. The problem is an increasingly small amount of habitat. Cougars are not going to live well in and around suburbs and highways. Predators need animals to eat and those animals need a large area to live and maintain a balanced ecosystem.

Farmers need their livestock to not be attacked. They don\’t really make bank doing farming. So that\’s not a good place either.

Besides National Parks(which seem to be having funding issues currently), hunting reserves are actually a pretty good model for keeping predators like cougars going. The hunting can then be monitored and limited, the price for hunting can pay to keep the park running. Accommodations for the hunters help support the neighboring towns which help reinforce the importance of keeping the animals and the land for the animals.

I\’m not saying I love the idea of people hunting animals for sport, but from a practical standpoint and as someone who comes from the country where deer hunting is ubiquitous, its a good model to save the animals and their way of life for the greater good of their survival.

Appealing to people\’s morals isn\’t going to sway many, and our populations are going to continue to expand so keeping to those morals will be harder. Sometimes we need to make compromises even if they suck.

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Caitlyn Graham Ringlund

February 21, 2018

If you are running, hiking in their environment you should be aware of the risk and usually the bears don\’t attack, educate yourself on the best way to handle the situation.

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l

February 21, 2018

Lynne Huntley i find it utterly reprehensible that someone would use the statement \”encourage our governments to make laws to protect these voiceless victims\” concerning animals when thousands of \”voiceless victims\” are murdered each year through abortion! Where is the outcry for human life! And dont start with the \”its a womans choice when it comes to her body\” excuse. And to quote you, \”it is really a great loss to lose even one.Will mankind ever learn?\”. It is a truly sad world when an animals life is considered more important than a human life!

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l

February 21, 2018

Damn humans! First it was the prehistoric animals and now this! If those idiots during the ice age hadnt learned to build a fire and start this global warming those innocent dinosaurs would still be around! These idiotic humans just ruin everything! Oh, by the way. if you are so worried about animals and the environment why are you wasting electricity typing away on a computer? I guess we stupid humans ruin everything!

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l

February 21, 2018

Angel, obviously you dont realize why this class of animals are called predators! A predator will ALWAYS go in for the easiest kill, will always seek out the easiest prey and target it. Domestic animals are always the easiest target for a predator. In my location the coyote population has exploded, people are starting to notice their dogs and cats are missing. Coyotes are getting so brazen that they are starting to be seen during daylight hours around schools. As far as 5 years ago there was no such thing as seeing or hearing about a coyote in this area,now they are everywhere! same with feral hogs, im 55 years old and lived here all my life, no one ever heard of a feral hog in this area,now they are starting to move in. As to your statement that they arent coming for your cattle or your kids, unfortunately you are sadly mistaken!

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l

February 21, 2018

Last i checked indigenous people were hunters! As a matter of fact they were called great hunters! Check your history!

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l

February 21, 2018

Does this statement mean you want to become extinct Dave? Im assuming you are a human. Or are you implying every human except smart humans like yourself? What an idiotic response!

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Kepha

February 21, 2018

Actually, eastern, western, and FLorida all seem to descend from a Central American subspecies that re-colonized northern areas after a late Pleistocene extinction event.

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Kepha

February 21, 2018

If there are deer, the things will probably sooner or later re-colonize.

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Eireanne

February 21, 2018

So right! The lowest common denominator must prove themselves by preying on the defenseless.

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Eireanne

February 21, 2018

So true! A real hunter hunts for a need, i.e. food. An asshole ( trump\’s kids) uses high power weapons to take down animals for no real reason except to show what a prick they really are.

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K Gus

February 21, 2018

Fully agree, Mo. People need to hear this and be informed.

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wendy a scott

February 22, 2018

cray cray……excuses like this should be extinct. arguing with hunters is tantamount to medicating the dead……..

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wendy a scott

February 22, 2018

easy solution STOP over developing and building on the land!!

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Fred Judson

February 22, 2018

The mountain lion population in Colorado is increasing under the management of the Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW), so is our bear population. It should be noted that get about 90% of it’s funding from the sales of hunting and fishing licenses and from the Pittman Robertson Act.

One comment above mentione the hunting of bears in their dens, it is illegal in Colorado. It is possible to have management and hunting of animals without wiping them out, onfact many of themare increasing because of hunters and the money we spend for habitat. I’m sure most of you know that the largest single conservator of wetlands is a hunting group called Ducks Unlimited? The Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation has conservation of overwintering range as a major platform for it’s conservation objectives. My point is that at this point in time we as a people need to use all possible methods to conserve habitat. In 100 years our grandchildren can get together and argue about how to manage them, we need to conserve land now and most of you are taking no active part in it. Too few hunters are taking part in habitat conservation but many of us are making an impact.

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YING

February 22, 2018

Have you forgotten that humans are also animals? What\’s truly sad is that you consider humans to be the most important species and act like only humans are worth protecting.

It\’s interesting how you care so much for the unborn but don\’t seem to give a second thought to all the beings that are already alive and suffering.

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roz

February 22, 2018

Thank you I . I was waiting to see a statement that made some sense on this thread, as I sit hear so confused. I am a lover of all God\’s creatures, (well, to be really honest I don\’t like rats) Especially tiny voiceless humans with heartbeats or without heartbeats, yet. I cannot believe that this discussion is going on about something that occurred 80 years ago when the building industry was NOT going great guns, but they are just getting around to making it official now. For Pete\’s sake…if all these folks put their time and energy into a proactive cause for people, this world would be a better place.

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tunisia

February 22, 2018

come and hunt in tunisia there\’s lot of wolfs and pork please hunt them they kill our children everyday (north africa)

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roz

February 22, 2018

Somehow I knew you were going to say that. I just knew. I wish I knew how to post pictures because I capture the images ALL THE TIME.

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roz

February 22, 2018

I\’m so glad you posted this! I saw this on TV and was trying to remember where it had happened. But make no mistake, you will be duly chastised, and told that this is NOT the extinct one. Because of course if you read it online, it has to be true! Don\’t trust your eyes!

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cuttysark

February 22, 2018

Hello, my knowledge of your language is limited, also I took a translator to draft this answer You will thus excuse the likely grammatical and spelling errors I read for a long time comments in reaction of this article Katrin, I found your sensible and balanced comment Beautiful animal that this Puma but apparently already disappeared before our birth in all I live in Brittany on the West of France My vision is the one of course of an European We have too our lot of disappearances engendered by the human activity and the modifications of the climate Small species , far from the big animals that have it can again find in North America, disappear unfortunately regularly or are replaced by Asian or African congeners (global warming) The Bears of Pyrenees and Wolves in the South is it and is from France one eradicated in the centuries previous but reintroduced a few years ago by acclimatizing animals imported by Eastern European countries It is not completed, there are problems with breeders, others which find solutions but altogether, it works well but there is still little We even saw some wolves getting closer to cities but it is very trivial By reading these comments, I was struck by some words: The man is OMNIVORE and as such eats anything, vegetables and meat To want to impose an only vegetable food would be also catastrophic as the excess of breeding It would impose intensive monocultures to feed the 7 billion inhabitants of this planet, cultures which are as well destructive as the breeding, and it is already the case Both sources of food are important but must be produced within the framework of a responsible and reasoned agriculture For the wild life, small local but numerous actions improve things an example, \”Crapauducs\”, small tunnels created under roads to allow in batrachians or other small animals to cross roads without being victims of road traffics Other point than in my spirit of European I find very shocking, it is the fact of carrying a weapon Weapons are very controlled in Europe and it is a good thing The tragic events of these last days have still proved it but good with the president whom the United States gave themselves, it is not to change No more than the housing improvement of these endangered species by the choice decided to limit subsidies to the national parks which are the jewels of your heritage, or to allow minings nearby We have the government which we give ourselves (and far from me to make the lesson, France is not still a big example: we have almost had Mrs Le Penfor president !!) and from our European point of view, that this is not really what is best The hunting here is more and more controlled and it is necessary in view of the disappearance of species decimated as certain birds or mammals This measure concerning the bears in hibernation is atrocious!! It is a totally unbearable thing. It reminds the massacre of bisons in 19th century and indirectly populations which lived on it Do not tolerate it

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Brigitte

February 22, 2018

Dear Mary ! Unfrortunately that is the truth.

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Tami Baker

February 22, 2018

Ask Eric and Donald Jr. They hunt endangered species for sport.

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Norm Wagenaar

February 22, 2018

Wildlife biologists will tell you that coyotes are extremely resilient; putting pressure on the population results in bigger litters, higher survival rate of pups. The solution to the \’coyote\’ problem is learning to live with them. Don\’t leave out food supplies; keep your dogs on leashes during breeding season, learn hazing techniques, leave them some habitat that\’ll support the rodents, rabbits, etc., that they prefer to feed on.

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Tostada De Papa

February 23, 2018

We should pass laws in the US and watch the gun violence continue. Then what will the stupid liberals blame? Probably Trump. Idiots. Maybe people should hunt all of them down since they hold the country back.

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Kelly Dosch

February 23, 2018

Look how everybody assumes all hunters kill animals purely out of ego. None of you can think of any other reason why one might want to get rid of a dangerous 140# predator capable of tearing a pitbull in half for brunch? Just roaming around the neighborhood? Be careful now. You’re all starting to sound like Millenials.

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S.kitty

February 24, 2018

The picture of the \’puma licking its nose\’ isn\’t a puma. It\’s a caracal, a type of wild African cat. Just wanted to point that out.

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Tim Bergmann

February 24, 2018

This article is the real crime! They are not extinct, not here in Virginia. There are multiple sightings and hunters with them on trail cams. But as a previous person commented the Conservation people disagree with anyone who calls in a sighting I can\’t understand why they do this! Idiots! And there is no way to mistake a bobcat for a cougar! On a jobsite a few years back we daily saw a mother and cubs (?) cross the mountain road at sunrise! Every morning!!

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Janie

February 24, 2018

Claudia and Barbara, your comments are the dumbest thing I\’ve ever read on a post, and I\’ve read many! Hyper Lunacy Abounds ! Go ahead, kill the cows, calves, sheep, horses, lambs, fowl, and take a few farm kids too, but don\’t touch those pretty kitties! That\’s what you sound like ladies! JFYI… the eastern pumas are not extinct and I can assure you Pumas are alive and well in Texas and our surrounding states as well as Coast to Coast. Relax and stop hating on mankind, we are actually the one\’s making a difference in conservation and preservation of all animal species in North America.

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Janie

February 24, 2018

I\’m with you JKPate .. this is literally off the rails of sanity.. I guess their vegan diets make them incapable of reading and comprehending.. must be the lack of protein!

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Esther Davis

February 25, 2018

Rather than, \”And then humans happened!\” it should say, \”and then sport hunters happened!\” lots of people DO know how to live in harmony with local wildlife and their environment. the more you suggest that our species inherently destroys everything, the more you instill an obstacle to ever changing that. people have to believe they can do better in order to change.

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Lbpa

February 25, 2018

SON OF A BITCHES ALL ASSHEAD AMERICAN HUNTERS THAT KILLED ALL OF EASTERN PUMA!!!! FUCK YOU ALL ASSHOLE HUNTERS!!!!!

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Tj Morstadt

February 26, 2018

Yet again, humans have completely eviscerated a beautiful creature with the old\” they\’re killing our livestock & threatening our lives\” EXCUSE to justify murder. God help us, as more species are decimated, I pray that we\’re not next.

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Laurie V.

February 27, 2018

Animals going into extinction will have a lot of implications on the environment. In the end, it is not about \”who gets to survive\”, instead it is about \”how all of you survives\”. In the advent of extinction of various organisms, other organisms will substitute for their niches in the ecosystem. If the rates of extinction and environmental degradation do not change in a couple of years, ecosystems within global regions will overlap so much that humans will not be able to adapt. It\’s not just about hunting. It\’s about human rationalization. The fact that we perceive ourselves as \”higher beings\” compared to animals because we have cognitive skills is just plain wrong. Spend enough time with animals, and you will realize how humane these animals are. Remember, nature can heal itself — it doesn\’t need us. But we need it.

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jaelyn

March 9, 2018

probably mountain lion. cant be an eastern puma

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J

March 10, 2018

Depends, Do you live in Eastern United States?

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Lisa Harris

March 11, 2018

I agree that shooting and killing animals should be for food reasons only. We have been given deer meat here a while back from a hunter and we did not waste any of it.

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Will

March 12, 2018

Here\’s a true story: in the late 1970s I visited friends at a forestry camp in what is now Arapaho Roosevelt National Forest in Colorado. We back packed in Rocky Mountain National Park for several days. At one point I asked someone if it would have been wise to bring a firearm for protection from bears, cougars, etc.. Several of the forestry people scoffed at this suggestion and told me that there were only two black bears within 25 miles of us, and their whereabouts were well known. And that there had been no grizzlies in Colorado since the 1950s. About a week after we left the Park, a hiker was attacked and killed by a grizzly a mile or so from where we had been. Moral: the environmentalists do not know as much as they think they do. People report cougars regularly throughout the eastern U.S. . A good friend with extensive wildlife experience witnessed a fully clawed specimen shot by officials in Ohio. News flash: those cougars people see regularly in the East did not wander across the continent; they\’ve been there all along. Also, there is no such thing as a black cougar. The coloration does not occur in nature. Yet big black cats are also reported often, meaning we either have a Jaguar population extending beyond the accepted Mexico/far SW U.S. range, or there\’s something else undiscovered out there. Don\’t buy the pretend narrative that the Easter Cougar is extinct.

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Heather

March 14, 2018

Killing coyotes here actually increases their populations. It causes the females to begin breeding younger and have more pups per litter to compensate for the loss in population. This has been documented by scientists in the field out studying coyotes. One of the reasons why they are so resilient. Hunters are actually making the problem worse by killing them.

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ThomasGB

March 14, 2018

What animals did they hunt? Was it illegal at the time? If so, then they should face penalties. If they are being named because their father is the President right now and we know so many people have their panties in a twist over that they attack Trump for attack sake then that is not right either.

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ThomasGB

March 14, 2018

Mary D., you talk like a serial killer in the making. You hate your species? Do not harm yourself trying to make the world a better place.

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ALAN SPINNEY

March 14, 2018

this heather was a thing dnr started, first of all the mother or bitch does not know a coyote was killed down the road to make her have more pups,ive raised breeding dogs since 66,and i can tell you feed or whatever controls the amount of pups they have,i had one dog that had 4 pups the od time 5 and another that had 10 to 12 every litter .that is a myth.they allowed them to poulate the coyote that is,till our rabbits,grouse,and deer are just about gone,they have killed hundreds of pets some on leash,they have attacked humans ,killing a young adult girl here on hollidays ,they are now a breed mixed with wolves and are hitting the 100 lb mark they call yhem coy wolf,so your info given you is false these animals are a scurge and are dangerous,check out young singer killed by coyotes on cape breton isle nova scotia

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SC

March 15, 2018

JP: You are an idiot. So ignorant and arrogant. What gives you the right to kill animals for fun? You DON\’T have that right, no matter what species of animals they are. Bears are not dangerous unless they need to protect themselves and their cubs, and they HAVE that right to do so. Perhaps we should hunt you and your family, as you are the REAL threat to animals. You are just a heartless bastard. I hope someone shoots you in the leg, then you can know how great it is to harm others for fun. Hunters who kill animals just to kill, are nothing but worthless garbage. That is a fact.

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SC

March 15, 2018

ThomasJB: There\’s nothing wrong with being ashamed of our species. I agree with her, humans are the worst species on the entire planet. I\’m ashamed to be a human being when I see all the damage humans do to the animals, the environments, and our own planet. I think animals and planet would be better off if humans never came along. When did humankind do anything to protect anything? . Because our species know about the danger, but still choose to carry on killing for fun, and destroying environments and our planet, though not all people are the same. But not enough is done to save them. I am shamed for being a human.

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SC

March 15, 2018

ThomasJB: Hating your species doesn\’t make you a serial killer. That was a stupid thing to say.

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Terry L Belden

March 15, 2018

these are dangerous animals. You have every right to protect your family, your pets and your livestock. They where not hunted to extinction, they where exterminated for a reason. I do not hunt but will not hesitate to dispatch a big cat that moves through the property.

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Terry L Belden

March 15, 2018

What problem, more coyotes is not a bad thing, it\’s more fur for coats gloves ect.

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Terry L Belden

March 15, 2018

You cannot be serious, everyone had the right to protect their families, pets, livestock and property. Are you going to start reimbursing farmers and ranchers for their lost livestock. No and why should it come out of their pockets to protect a predator.

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Charlene Robbins

March 16, 2018

I don\’t think they are extinct. These cats or something similar have been seen in Lawrence Co Indiana as well as Jennings Co. Indiana. The one in Lawrence Co. was seen at the side of the road by a sheriff\’s deputy eating a deer.

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Claudia

March 16, 2018

Stop building your fricken ranches next to their habitat and your livestock will not be attacked by the predators. Stop using Federal and Crown land to feed your livestock, a rancher should only keep as many cattle as he can feed off his own land. I\’m sick of hearing how the ranchers need more land and kill any wild animal that grazes as well as the predators.

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Claudia

March 16, 2018

herd? Talk about ignorance… Anyone that thinks a vegan diet lacks in protein is about as dumb as a bag of hair.

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Claudia

March 16, 2018

Don\’t hijack this thread for your own selfish agenda. This is about human caused extinction not abortion. Your comments don\’t belong here.

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k.k

March 16, 2018

agreed

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Kimberly

March 16, 2018

Lies! I have seen 1 in my own yard, in Delanson, NY. I have a photograph of another, in Duanesburg, NY. They are around. Many of my neighbor\’s have seen one at various times over the last 20 years.

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Sharad

March 16, 2018

\”The majestic creatures once had a huge population – and then humans happened!\” -Wrong- And then white people happened. Pumas coexisted with Native people as long as there have been Native people on this continent. This extinction, plus the genocide of native people, are both white people\’s doing.

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carley

March 16, 2018

and.. their father, lifts the bans on trophy hunting, so his two sons are free to kill elephants and lions, leopards and bears, whatever they want.. with no remorse, no guilt, no fines, no nothing.. Just two idiots with an idiot father. It is not like they are starving a living off the land like people did 50,000 years ago. Early people needed to hunt to survive.. either hunt or starve. But, certainly, a dead leopard does not feed anything except their egos and boasting around the office.

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Re Almanace

March 16, 2018

baloney — Hunting does NOT make the bears fear humans. If you live in bear country, sit by your garbage can late one night and see who comes to visit…..

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Re Almanace

March 16, 2018

Coyotes don\’t need to know how to count. They know their pack– someone is missing? More food for them all? Pack running low on members? One/Two/Three orders of Baby Coyotes coming up!!

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Re Almanace

March 16, 2018

My My, Anonymity breeds contempt here…

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Re Almanace

March 16, 2018

Was that supposed to sound scientific???? We\’re waaaiting……

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Re Almanace

March 16, 2018

\”Herd ignorance\” is highly doubtful — animals in herds are usually much smarter than humans

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Re Almanace

March 16, 2018

Amen, Ying.

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Re Almanace

March 16, 2018

I — I — I !!!!! When will you realize that we are ALL connected??!! Animals, Humans, the Environment — all connected. You cannot presume to love one and not the other. As for abortion — if MEN were the ones who got pregnant, abortion would be a SACRAMENT.

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Re Almanace

March 16, 2018

burros not burro\’s

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Re Almanace

March 16, 2018

Are you aware of punctuation marks, Kathleen???

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Re Almanace

March 16, 2018

I… you are a gem. How did you manage to get those words on line without \”wasting\” electricity??????????

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Teresa P

March 16, 2018

My parents live in Clay County, NC and there is at least one puma/cougar/mountain lion out there that is killing deer (and possibly one pony). If the Eastern Puma is indeed extinct…would that mean this one is from Florida or from out west?

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Garfield

March 17, 2018

Which bit of the article are you unable to comprehend. It clearly states there are pumas , just not Eastern Puma\’s. Tell me…why were you born with an appetite to kill harmless animals. You and yours think nothing of snuffing out life for your ego. Does it make your penis grow longer ?

Do you think you are a real man when you kill something without a fight ? Your posts show you have below average IQ…killing bears makes them afraid of humans ! How the Fock would they know considering they are hibernating when you snuff them out …you great mighty fearless FW hunter….

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Graham Haxell

March 17, 2018

Well the POTUS is a dickhead and so are the two sons!

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sharon

March 17, 2018

That isn\’t true. They ARE still very much alive. They\’ve been around the area my son went to college in southern Virginia for years. The problem is that to actually set up a recovery plan for them, you have to work with some of the most expensive real estate in the country. That\’s why whenever they\’ve been seen and even photographed over the years, they\’ve been explained as \’someone\’s pet that\’s been released\’, or summarily dismissed the way you just did.

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Toni

March 18, 2018

does this mean that a sub-species of the mountain lion is extinct? im reading comments that are saying they are still seen. either way- so sad that any of these amazingly beautiful creatures are dying because humans suck 🙁

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John

March 18, 2018

There is anecdotal evidence suggesting that the eastern cougar is still lurking in the forests of Nova Scotia and New Brunswick. Back around 2000, my wife and a friend of hers used to walk the back roads adjacent to Port la Tour. They saw a large cat a couple of times which appeared to be following them. They both said the cat was way too big to be a lynx. Whether or not these cats are isolated eastern cougars or the descendants of migrants from the prairies, there are people who swear they have seen them. Coyotes and wolves have moved into Newfoundland, so migration is possible.

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BullyResQ

March 18, 2018

If you read the article, this species has been gone for 80yrs. What you are seeing is not the Eastern Puma, but a relative.

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Vicki

March 18, 2018

Please tell me where you have seen this story

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Dragan

March 19, 2018

America… All shit in the world come from you…

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Gregg Barnes

March 19, 2018

Have either of them killed one of thse particular animals, or are you just being an asshole?

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Andrea

March 19, 2018

FWIW, they were just as free to hunt those animals before the lift on the trophy hunting ban, as they are now. The only difference is that they can now import trophies from those countries. I doubt this is going to have a major impact on hunting overall. But, time will tell.

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Vikkie

March 19, 2018

there hasn\’t been a sighting of the Eastern Puma in over 80 years

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S Cote

March 20, 2018

Nice job Humans! 🙁 ….great will be the day for the earth when we go EXTINCT.

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Marbles McGee

March 20, 2018

So people can move in and shoot and trap everything that might harm them? Hahahahaha You are a moron.

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Marbles McGee

March 20, 2018

Heather, the reason there are more coyotes now is that they can eat just about anything, including the garbage we make and our pets. They can hide just about anywhere, so we have provided them with shelter and food.

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Todd

March 20, 2018

Humans are far more dangerous. Let\’s dispatch some of them.

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Kelly523

March 20, 2018

This sentence is silly and not historically accurate: \”The majestic creatures once had a huge population – and then humans happened!\” Humans and pumas co-existed for many thousands of years. What happened was the invasion of white Europeans to the North American continent.

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Suz Diamond

March 20, 2018

OMG!! George Gordon you seriously need to get a life. This is about beautiful Pumas, not about your ugly spewing of politics AGAIN.

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Craig

March 20, 2018

They are absolutely extinct. What you are seeing is Puma Concolor, what is extinct is Puma Concolor Couguar. It\’s a sub-species.

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mike

March 21, 2018

fuck the big cats well check the deer population when we hunt them the big cats and the wolves too ever had a child taken by a big cat or wolves fuckem

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Nickie

March 22, 2018

Sad to say its cause of the game,the feeling of killing something. It\’s so sad to say but true. I use to hear at work they can\’t wait to go hunting and kill something. Maybe we should start to hunt them to see if they like it when they have to run for their life and see how it feel. They have no Respect for Mother Earth babies.

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Kit

March 22, 2018

I agree. HUMANS are the most dangerous. Let\’s dispatch some and help the wildlife strive.

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Jane Smart

March 22, 2018

Trophy hunting should be made illegal. Disgusting people.

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Mandy

March 22, 2018

I agree they will stay in their natural habitat if it is large enough. They will not go where the human habitat is large if they can help it. To scary for them. One of the biggest problems is we keep having more and more children not to say to many jumping our borders. Natural habitat is being taken over by us. Houston has grown in the last year by 92,000 people. It\’s going to be hard to tell were Austin stops and Houston in a few years.

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David Wilson

March 22, 2018

I was born in the 1970\’s and saw tracks behind my house (I grew up in West Tennessee.) While on vacation at Lookout Mountain, my entire family saw one cross the road and run up a hill. That is Middle Tennessee. While at a Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency camp in the 80\’s, they argued with me that they were extinct then and I argued with them. Can\’t really tell me I didn\’t see what my entire family saw but I guess if you really want them off the list, you\’d be willing to fight for that ability. But, at least as of the 1980\’s there were still a few around.

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Marisol

March 23, 2018

Duh, a Mountain Lion and a Puma is the same thing.

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Marisol

March 23, 2018

Hunting, annihilating and enslaving is just a natural part of some people\’s DNA. They\’ve killed humans for years to keep them afraid. When your DNA is that of a Neanderthal, killing for fun is a natural part of your behavior

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Michael J. Benardo

March 23, 2018

Sad. But please post the weight in POUNDS, NOT KILOGRAMS! Most of us over a certain age don\’t know how much that is! This is the UNITED STATES, NOT JAPAN.

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Sharon

March 23, 2018

That\’s the point. They don\’t want to fight to keep them on the list and save them because of the money involved in setting up a recovery program in some very expensive real estate on the East Coast, and these sheep who are so ready to believe what they\’re being fed are just that, sheep. They HAVE been seen over those 80 years and it\’s well known that they have, especially in some areas (like in the southwestern Virginia town where my son went to college), but if the government\’s answer is always going to be \’it was a pet someone released\’ or \’ it was ANOTHER type of cougar\’ , which is a really new excuse because the old ones weren\’t working, and they won\’t ever accept the truth regardless, then they\’re going to declare them dead.

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Candace

March 24, 2018

Ok for everyone who left a reply to my comment somewhere in this maze and are expecting a reply…I\’m sorry I not only cannot find my post to see what you wrote and believe me I have searched! I cannot remember what I even wrote anymore. So if your hoping for a comment…..

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Buster Heimann.

March 26, 2018

I\’m born and raised Mississippian and I hear about \”panthers\” sightings all the time though I\’ve never seen one myself. I believe these could be \”Eastern Cougars\” or they could be Western Cougars migrating east as many have been known to do. *one found in Connecticut back in 2011 came from the Black Hills of South Dakota. so there\’s another possibility.

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Melanie Greganti

March 27, 2018

Not true. Saw one in the deep woods of eastern Kentucky. Looked the dad-blamed thing right in the eye less than 4 ft. from me before my cousins scared it away.

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Austin Sea

April 1, 2018

The cat have been gone for over 100 years since the last sighting… they have just recently DECLARED them extinct (in 2011, NOT 2018), but they have probably been gone for decades. And the cougar shown in the picture isn\’t even an Eastern Puma. There are still other types of Cougars in the America, and those appear to be a Florida Panther adult and a North American Cougar cub. As a matter of fact, the Eastern Cougar isn\’t even it\’s own species, it\’s just a subspecies. ALL cougars are actually of the same species, Puma Concolor. It\’s more accurate to equate it to a \”breed\” or like the different Human \”races\”.

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tas

April 1, 2018

You are the reason this world is so f\’d up now. Ignorant people like you overpopulating the earth. No wonder people are knocking themselves off left and right…they can\’t stop a bunch of morons from destroying the planet, so they give up. You should be ashamed of yourself, loser.

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Dirthead

April 2, 2018

Lol, Sharon wtf are you talking about? The \”eastern puma\” subspecies is extinct… BUT the species is doing just fine. Yes they are seen in the East coast (they\’re actually making a comeback), but the SPECIES refers to the entire SPECIES, while Eastern puma simply refers to a subspecies that has not been seen in decades. Not that it matters as it\’s basically the same animal just with very slight phenotypical differences like having a smaller head.

There\’s a silver lining: the eastern puma is a subspecies of the puma and is barely different. Puma populations in general are doing much better and are recovering in the East Coast.

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Western Puma is Genetically the same as the Eastern

April 2, 2018

LoL no. The pumas people see there were not likely owned by people. The western puma has been moving into the Eastern\’s old territory. Puma populations in the east are recovering. ALSO, there was no real genetic difference found b/t the western and eastern subspecies, so there\’s a chance this whole thing is overblown.

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Western Puma is Genetically the same as the Eastern

April 2, 2018

\”This catastrophic\” is it? The western puma is doing real well and has been moving into the former habitat of the eastern subspecies. More importantly, it\’s a growing opinion that Eastern and Western Pumas were erroneously classified as different subspecies in the first place. No genetic difference was found.

The description of the scientific article, if you\’re too lazy to read it.

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RDLaney

April 3, 2018

After the ignorant shit that I\’ve read on here, why are my comments being moderated?

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Erin

April 7, 2018

This is a very poorly written and very confusing article. I still have no idea what species of big cat is extinct and which is not and what names any of them go by.

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johnnyfrfstr

April 7, 2018

haha I saw that remark too and knew this long ago but wondered how Jaelyn missed it because it was already stated. :/

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Roshan Colucien

April 8, 2018

God Emperor Trump and his children are responsible for hunting the Saber Tooth Tiger and T-Rex to extinction This during the transition period and Putin helped them.

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Callaghan Grant

April 8, 2018

You\’re correct. They are still with us and they have become much more elusive in order to survive. The point of taking them off the endangered and protected lists is so big game hunters can take them. Anyone who shoots/kills unnecessarily on of these animals (or any other endangered species) so they can take its hide or hang its head on the wall out to be shot dead. They are depriving the whole world of a majestic and keystone predator for their personal aggrandizement and pleasure. Trophy hunters are swine.

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Callaghan Grant

April 8, 2018

The Eastern panther is smaller than a mountain lion by a long shot.

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Callaghan Grant

April 8, 2018

The entire family of #HumptyTrumpty are corrupt criminals who need to be jailed or executed–or both.

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Callaghan Grant

April 8, 2018

Hunting for food and trophy hunting are entirely different. I rejoice every time I read that a trophy hunter or guide for trophy hunters have been killed by wild animals.

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Callaghan Grant

April 8, 2018

Dude, I have encountered eastern puma in the wild and they run away from people–NOT go towards them. This is why they are so rarely seen: The avoid humanity and their farms as much as they can. That said, I raise an endangered species of peafowl and, if a puma, which we have here, were to come inside my acreage, so long as they were not attacking any of my animals, I would let them pass. The contiguous corridors of habitat that would allow them to avoid our farms is so disrupted that they sometimes have to pass through OUR habitats, which were THEIR habitat until we destroyed it.

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Callaghan Grant

April 8, 2018

What makes you think anyone OWNS the lives of these animals? They have every right to exist and they belong to THEMSELVES. The ONLY reason to hunt animals assholes often take as \”trophies\” is when they overpopulate and become a danger or a nuisance. ALL wildlife belongs to THE ENTIRE WORLD. A degradation of diversity impacts us all VERY negatively. Legality has nothing to do with justice or a whole lot of banksters would be in jail for crashing the global economy. Just because something is not illegal does not mean it is right. As to tRump, this country is going to get more and more fractured until the people who voted him in realize it was simply an understandable mistake, and that he and his buddies are honorless kleptocrats robbing the country blind while they trample ethics and the constitution. Earnestly, this is the problem in this country right now. The people who support him still are not being honest about the damage he is doing and has already done because they do not want to wrap their minds around the facts that they made a mistake and that said mistake is doing serious damage TO EVERYONE. Until that base of supporters show they can be rational and constructive and that they care MORE about the constitution than they hate admitting they made a mistake, how can they be trusted? Every elephant, lion, tiger, giraffe, rhino they kill for their pleasure is STOLEN from me and the remainder of the world and the future people who will never get to see them.

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Callaghan Grant

April 8, 2018

UNless the livestock they are killing is another endangered species, a cow or sheep or horse\’s life is not worth the damage killing ONE member of an endangered species is worth to humankind and the world\’s ecosystem. WE INVADED *THEIR* TERRITORY. Insure your livestock.

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Callaghan Grant

April 8, 2018

You are backwards and trying to force YOUR religious beliefs on others. That is oppressive and fascist. YOU HAVE NO RIGHT TO TELL A WOMAN WHAT SHE MAY DO WITH HER BODY. Moreover, whatever decision the woman makes SHE will resolve when she meets with her maker. That is God\’s job–NOT YOURS.

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Kim

April 8, 2018

The best answer I\’ve read tonight. Thank you. BTW trail cams have been picking up cougars for the past several months in Roanoke County, VA.

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Callaghan Grant

April 8, 2018

Still, many love our wild horses and burros. They have long been a feature of this country and although they are not endangered, when they are rounded up and killed by the BLM so that ranchers can use PUBLIC LANDS to graze their PRIVATE cattle, it deprives us ALL of an iconic species so that some rancher can use OUR land to make profit for themselves ONLY. Just because something isn\’t illegal, that doesn\’t make it right.

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Callaghan Grant

April 8, 2018

Maybe not and taking them off the endangered and protected lists makes it \”not illegal\” for them to be hunted again. They should remain on the protected list because they still exist. People who have no respect for the sanctity of God\’s creations thinks it all belongs to humanity alone and we can destroy as we please.

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Callaghan Grant

April 8, 2018

Farmers should NOT kill an endangered species unless it is attacking people or another endangered species. Farmers should insure their livestock. Saving a cow so a farmer can profit does not trump destroying the last few of an endangered species to protect a cow.

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Callaghan Grant

April 8, 2018

To those \”people\” the fact that it is the last of its kind just makes it more valuable to them as a trophy. Trophy hunters are EXACTLY like murderers of people who then keep trophies of their kills. They are sick in their heads.

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Callaghan Grant

April 8, 2018

It is a categorization change that makes it \”not illegal\” to kill them. You know how rich people are: If it\’s not illegal and it turns them a profit or gives them a thrill, so long as it\’s not \”illegal\” they will do it. That is exactly why, even though the banksters collapsed the GLOBAL economy in 2008, NONE of them went to jail. What they did was not illegal but it was OBVIOUSLY WRONG.

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Callaghan Grant

April 8, 2018

Be scared about the crashing insect populations and the sudden loss of large percentages of birds. Be scared about the loss of the bees and butterflies that pollinate OUR FOOD. About the puma you should be outraged. About the loss of insects that feed birds and bees that feed us, you should be scared and outraged. Insect populations have lost 70% of their former numbers and bird populations that eat insects are in dramatic decline. Famine will kill us off long before global climate change can.

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Callaghan Grant

April 8, 2018

Your daughter is correct. We are stealing quality of life from the future. In fact, the Koch Organized Corporatist Mob is monetizing NOW the suffering of future generations. ANYone who brings children into this sorry world is, sadly, sentencing them to live in desperate horrifying and heartbreaking times.

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Callaghan Grant

April 8, 2018

Insure your livestock. The whole world should not go without an entire species just so farmers can turn a profit.

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Callaghan Grant

April 8, 2018

If scientists can\’t even get an accurate count of them how can they make certain predictions about outcomes in the future? You know, if humanity disappeared, that species would snap back. The way humanity behaves, I\’d sooner see the animals live than the people.

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Callaghan Grant

April 8, 2018

Not finding equals no finding. It does NOT mean they are nonexistent. You cannot PROVE something does not exist. You can ONLY assert you have not (yet) found it. If they are taken off the protected species list it makes it \”not illegal\” to shoot them. You know how trophy hunters are: If it\’s \”not illegal\” to take them, no matter how endangered, they are \”fair game\”.

I have no illusions about saving the planet. Humanity will go extinct because we are not fit to steward the globe–and then the planet will recover and go on–and good riddance to us.

Humanity needs saving from itself.

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Callaghan Grant

April 8, 2018

I saw one in Georgia, in the outskirts of Atlanta, 40 years ago. I live in northernmost Florida. The eastern puma is still with us. They are larger than the Florida Panther. How is an underfunded agency to even conduct a survey extensive enough to assert they are beyond hope? It\’s legal maneuvering just to make it \”not illegal\” to take them.

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Callaghan Grant

April 8, 2018

It will happen. We are too greedy, short sighted and stupid to continue.

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Callaghan Grant

April 8, 2018

Dave is right. What the planet needs is us gone, and I have been dead once. It was lovely. I am looking forward to the do-over actually.

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Callaghan Grant

April 8, 2018

I\’d like to hang that farmer\’s head on my wall. Useless prick.

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Callaghan Grant

April 8, 2018

I love your passion.

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Callaghan Grant

April 8, 2018

Killing livestock is not the same as killing unnecessarily an endangered species. Insure your livestock so bears and panthers killing them will be covered.

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Callaghan Grant

April 8, 2018

Screw the livestock unless it is an endangered species you are raising and protecting. Be responsible for your pets and don\’t leave food outside to attract predators.

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Callaghan Grant

April 8, 2018

Exactly so. This is about maneuvering to allow them to be culled so assholes can make profit.

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Callaghan Grant

April 8, 2018

Uuuh, Cheetahs are fairly strong as a species now and they came so close to extinction that they are all nearly identical genetically. You need to get a little more perspective. They are being taken off the protected list so that humans can encroach on their remaining habitat for profit–like in fracking and coal mining and timber. One is not allowed to disrupt the habitat of an endangered and protected species.

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Callaghan Grant

April 8, 2018

They generally run from people. Carry your magnum to protect you from bears and the really scary and cruel animal called \”humans\”.

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BlackDog

April 8, 2018

They\’ve Murdered Rhino & Giraffe & posted pics

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Callaghan Grant

April 8, 2018

Farmers should insure their livestock. End of problem. Oh, insurance too expensive so we should all be deprived of this iconic species so farmers can make more money or spend less on insurance? Humanity needs to get over itself. The world will go on without us. We are unworthy stewards of this world.

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Callaghan Grant

April 8, 2018

All trophy hunting is about ego. If you are not eating it, don\’t kill it unless it is in defence of yourself or another human. Your pitbull is not an endangered species. I know you love your dog but shooting to scare the attacking predator away should be the first thing you try. I do not believe the loss of a dog (and I love dogs) justifies killing an animal that represents a cherished genetic reservoir of an entire species. That said, if shooting didn\’t scare the predator away from me/other people or my dog, I would also be inclined to shoot. You, humanity, or your dogs are not more important than an entire species.

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Callaghan Grant

April 8, 2018

I agree. The black jaguar is seen often here in the area of Peacock Springs, Florida–which is way north near Live Oak.

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Callaghan Grant

April 8, 2018

I agree.

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Jesse

April 8, 2018

My little brother caught them on deer cameras in Georgia. They\’re not extinct

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Timika

April 8, 2018

If you hunt you\’re a cunt

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Jame

April 9, 2018

I got several in NM on my families land, got film of the mom teaching the two babies how to take down an elk

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Keef

April 9, 2018

Whatever – Youse Merkins can argue about species and sub species all you like, just stop coming to Africa to kill our wild cats This includes the spawn of your current president

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Puma hater

April 9, 2018

Liberals love animals until one attacks them or their family members then they blame the government and ask why they don\’t protect their families from such predators. They went extinct because they were a weaker species. Its funny deer aren\’t extinct nor are bears or an other species like alligators who are hunted heavily. Pumas are very aggressive and attack humans more than other animals. Can you imagine if we had packs of pumas roaming around???? You wouldn\’t be able to walk around without fear of being attacked. Good ridden

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Don\’t Hate

April 10, 2018

Sheesh. Maybe you should all burn your dwellings and towns and then kill yourselves. They need space… And it\’s HUMANS that have taken their space…that is the biggest problem. Blame others, sure, but really the blame is on everyone. So own up to it. Drive your car, use your gas, burn fossil fuels for electric, be warm and cozy, but own that shit.

For the record I see no reason to kill animals just to kill them. That\’s cruel and macho…

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Don\’t Hate

April 10, 2018

Sheesh. Maybe you should all burn your dwellings and towns and then kill yourselves. They need space… And it\’s HUMANS that have taken their space…that is the biggest problem. Blame others, sure, but really the blame is on everyone. So own up to it. Drive your car, use your gas, burn fossil fuels for electric, be warm and cozy, but own that shit.

For the record I see no reason to kill animals just to kill them. That\’s cruel and macho…

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Laurie

April 12, 2018

One was killed on a highway in NH a few years back; confirmed by fish and game service. I am in Maine; many sightings here, but none see to be able to be confirmed.

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Erik Tetenburg

April 12, 2018

try to make a photo and post the link of this photo..

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D collier

April 13, 2018

Why do you have to bring the President into a discussion about a species that has been extinct longer than Trump has been alive ? Does every thing have to be political ?

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StudyBio

April 13, 2018

Literally, the point is that they\’re being slaughtered, not \’managed.\’ Big animals require much larger territories, and end up being much less dense as a consequence. Top predators both regulate the populations of those animals farther down on the food chain (read: deer) and are regulated by the numbers of their prey. We literally wouldn\’t have to hunt deer if we reintroduced upper-level predators back into the eastern food chain. Look at Yellowstone.

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NITA

April 14, 2018

I totally saw one about 4 years ago here in CT

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cynthia conner

April 15, 2018

This is what humans do, One reason I like animals more than some people.

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Ug

April 15, 2018

Marisol, that\’s an insult to Neanderthals!

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Alien

April 15, 2018

\”I\” – your comments are out of place here. Stop using this topic to promote your own fanaticism!

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Jolie

April 16, 2018

Sadly, once they get that \”beyond recovery\” label, it\’s near to impossible to get anyone to do anything to protect them because that label means that too few are left to ensure genetic diversity. Trying to bump up their population with a bunch of inbred animals is counterproductive.

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lora

April 16, 2018

why the hell are we not helping them, this is dumb we sould stop kiling so many animals ex-speahely (spelt wrong)big cats or any animal at all

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Rob

April 16, 2018

If they want a head on the wall why not be their own and call it The Two Legged Jack Ass

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Bonita Bilyeu

April 16, 2018

The species, known as Felis concolor couguar and Puma concolor couguar, has been officially removed from Federal List of Threatened and Endangered Wildlife. The Felis cougar were commonly known as mountain lions, panthers and pumas.

Isn\’t this saying they are called Puma\’s, Cougar\’s and Mountain Lions? These are only referring to the ones East of the Mississippi, correct?

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Bonita Bilyeu

April 16, 2018

Don\’t they refer in the article as a Puma, mountain lion, and cougar as being one and the same? Aren\’t they just talking about East of the Mississippi?

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mtg

April 16, 2018

The species, known as Felis concolor couguar and Puma concolor couguar, has been officially removed from Federal List of Threatened and Endangered Wildlife. The Felis cougar were commonly known as mountain lions, panthers and pumas.